Healthcare for Millions of Americans In Jeopardy with Passage of AHCA

Statement by Casey Harden, Interim CEO of YWCA USA

"The House of Representatives showed a shocking disregard for the health of millions of Americans today by passing the so called American Health Care Act (AHCA). This bill rolls back critical gains for women that are currently provided under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including the restrictions on access to a full range of reproductive health services and repealing funding for Planned Parenthood. Even survivors of domestic violence will be negatively impacted by the elimination of critical ACA protections such as the exemption from financial penalties if their coverage lapses and the ability to file for tax credits for coverage without their abusive spouses.

"Amendments to the AHCA failed to address fatal flaws in the AHCA, and instead made a bill that is detrimental to the health of women and girls across the country even worse. Lower income Americans and women of color will be particularly hard hit by the roll back of federal funding for Medicaid, as will people with pre-existing conditions. Waiving the ACA's ban on charging higher premiums for people with pre-existing conditions and its requirement that insurers provide essential health benefits guts critical protections for millions with health conditions. It is unacceptable that this bill returns us to the pre-ACA days when people with pre-existing conditions could not afford adequate health coverage or were pushed into unsustainable high risk pools that did not meet their health needs.

"We must protect and preserve the healthcare lifeline that the ACA has provided to 9.5 million women who could not otherwise afford health insurance. Any changes to our health care system must maintain the gains for women and girls in health care coverage, affordability, and accessibility that have been achieved under the ACA. It is now up to the Senate to right the wrongs of this destructive bill."

About YWCA USA

YWCA USA is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. We are one of the oldest and largest women's organizations in the nation, serving over 2 million women, girls, and their families each year. Learn more: www.ywca.org.